On a crisp Saturday at Twickenham Stadium, the air is electric with anticipation. The 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup final has drawn a record-breaking 82,000 fans, shattering previous attendance milestones and marking a new era for women’s rugby. England’s Red Roses, the world’s top-ranked team, are set to face off against Canada’s formidable squad—a matchup rich with history, drama, and the promise of a sporting spectacle for the ages.
The new World Cup trophy, unveiled for this edition, is a gleaming symbol of what’s at stake. Crafted from sterling silver and plated with 24-carat gold, the 38cm, 4.5kg trophy is oval-shaped to evoke a rugby ball, with its original handles preserved. Its base is engraved with the names of past champions and etched with a world map, a nod to rugby’s expanding global reach. For the first time, 16 teams have competed, including debutants Brazil, underscoring the sport’s rapid growth.
Today’s final is more than just a game. It’s a collision of two contrasting rugby cultures and funding philosophies. England, with its well-oiled, fully professional machine, boasts 32 players on full-time contracts, top earners making nearly £50,000 a year, and a world-class support staff. Since the introduction of full-time contracts in 2019, the Red Roses have dominated, winning 73 out of 75 matches. Their home league, the Premier 15s (PWR), is widely regarded as the best in the world, attracting elite talent and producing a steady pipeline of future internationals.
Canada, by contrast, is the tournament’s underdog story—a team that’s captured imaginations across the globe. With only a fraction of England’s resources, Canada’s women’s rugby program is built on grit, creativity, and community support. Rugby Canada’s annual funding for both men’s and women’s teams stands at £4.5 million, less than a sixth of the Rugby Football Union’s £28.7 million. Most Canadian players remain effectively amateur, earning about 12,000 Canadian dollars (£6,420) annually if they participate in every possible event. To bridge the gap, Rugby Canada launched the ‘Mission: Win Rugby World Cup’ campaign, raising 95% of its million-dollar goal through donations from fans, celebrities, and even iconic bands like The Tragically Hip, who contributed through special T-shirt sales.
Despite these disparities, Canada’s journey to the final has been nothing short of remarkable. Their campaign began with dominant pool performances against Fiji, Wales, and Scotland, followed by a 46-5 demolition of Australia in the quarterfinals. The semifinal win over New Zealand was historic—the Black Ferns’ first knockout loss in 34 years. Canadian captain Alex Tessier and standout forward Sophie de Goede, who leads the tournament in carries, offloads, and lineout takes, have been instrumental. De Goede’s return from injury has galvanized the squad, and her nomination for world player of the year is testament to her impact.
England’s lineup is star-studded as well. Meg Jones, the Cardiff-born centre who has represented England since 2015, is also up for the Best Rugby Player of the Year award. Her decision to play for England, she explained to BBC Cymru, was shaped by the opportunities available: “Because of the opportunities I had as an 18 year old. There was a lot more help over the bridge.” Still, Jones remains fiercely proud of her Welsh roots, saying, “I have a lot of passion, a lot of pride and a lot of fire in my belly.”
The atmosphere at Twickenham is unlike anything women’s rugby has seen before. The previous record attendance for a women’s XV-a-side match—58,498 at the 2023 Six Nations—has been obliterated. Even the 66,000 spectators at the 2024 Olympic women’s rugby sevens final in Paris pale in comparison. The stadium is a sea of red and white, with fans from both nations in full voice. Canadian celebrities like Shania Twain, The Tragically Hip, and actor Russell Crowe have rallied behind the team, fueling the excitement back home. “They’re going to kick some ass on Saturday. I think our colonial overlords will be surprised,” quipped Rob Baker of The Tragically Hip in a video posted to Rugby Canada’s Instagram. Twain added her encouragement with a simple, “Let’s go, girls.”
The significance of the occasion extends beyond the players. The Twickenham pitch is pristine, thanks to an all-female grounds crew led by Cheryl Hill, who brings 35 seasons of experience from Leicester Tigers’ Welford Road. “I couldn’t believe it when I had the email inviting me down, and I can’t believe I’m going to the biggest stage in rugby,” Hill told the BBC. Meanwhile, the Red Roses’ pre-match preparations include a unique ritual: braiding. Annis Waugh and her Braid Maidens team have been braiding England’s players since 2022, arriving seven hours before kickoff to help the squad focus on the match ahead. “Having braided hair means the players have one less thing to think about,” Waugh explained. “It is exciting to see the team in camp.”
Canada’s squad, though less resourced, is far from inexperienced. Eighteen of their 32 players compete in England’s Premier 15s clubs, gaining invaluable high-level experience. The team also benefits from the expertise of Saracens’ director of women’s rugby, Alex Austerberry, who has joined as an assistant coach. In preparation for the World Cup, Canada played four warm-up matches—twice as many as England—including two away games in South Africa, forging a battle-hardened unit ready for the biggest stage.
Head coach Kevin Rouet has been candid about the team’s resourcefulness: “We try to be that creative because when you don’t have money you have to be creative in the way you prepare. I think it allows us to do a lot of stuff that we wouldn’t be able to do if we had too much money. But I want more money, if that wasn’t clear!” Pamphinette Buisa, who had to withdraw from the squad due to injury, echoed the sentiment: “We want the support, we want the resources. A win wouldn’t prove that professionalism doesn’t matter. It would prove how much this team gives without the systems it deserves.”
As the teams line up, the tension is palpable. New Zealand’s Haka before the third-place playoff was a spectacle in itself, but nothing compares to the roar that greets England and Canada as they take the field. The stakes are immense—not just for the trophy, but for the future of women’s rugby. A Canadian victory could challenge the prevailing wisdom about funding and professionalism in the sport, while an England win would reinforce the power of investment and infrastructure.
For now, the rugby world is watching. The final at Twickenham is more than a match; it’s a testament to how far women’s sport has come—and a glimpse of what’s still to come. With the action underway and the crowd in full voice, the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup final is already a day for the history books, no matter who lifts that golden trophy at the final whistle.
